Sparrevohn AFS, AK

Contributed by Mike Bennett

This information is taken from Air Force Pamphlet AFP 34-8-6, INFORMATION ON ALASKA FOR AIR FORCE PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES, dated 26 October 1964.

710th AC&W Sq., Sparrevohn. Like many other AAC sites, Sparrevohn AFS is split into two sections, with the radar towers and the men who operate them on top of the highest available peak, and the support section at the foot of the mountain. The two camps are connected by a 2 1/2-mile road, but 719th AC&W Sq. personnel say even the mountain goats hesitate before using it. The main connection between the two camps is "Kitty," a mechanical tram that swings travelers from one camp to the other in enclosed cars. Sparrevohn, about 200 miles west of Anchorage, has highly variable weather. Generally, spring means fog and rain, summers are warm and clear, and win ter brings plenty of snow and wind. A fish camp is maintained where arctic grayling are plentiful. Weather permitting, mail comes in from Elmendorf twice a week; however, bad weather may sometimes keep planes from landing at the site for as long as 10 or 12 days.